Interim sheriff named. How Benton GOP will help decide replacement
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Benton County commissioners appointed Lt. Mike Clark sheriff Tuesday.
- Clark will serve until GOP nominates candidates for final appointment.
- Outgoing sheriff Croskrey cited goal of mentoring new leadership as reason.
A veteran deputy officially became Benton County’s newest sheriff after a Tuesday commissioner meeting.
The Benton County commissioners unanimously appointed Lt. Mike Clark to take over for outgoing sheriff Tom Croskrey, who announced that he was leaving his position on Tuesday.
Clark’s current appointment will be in place while the Benton County Republican Party picks three nominees to give to the commissioners. The Republicans get to make the choice because Croskrey is a member of the party.
The commissioners have 60 days from today to make that appointment, county officials said. If they don’t, the governor can appoint someone.
The person picked will serve the remaining year of Croskrey’s term.
The position pays $133,000 a year.
Clark, who has spent 22 years with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, told the Tri-City Herald that he plans to seek nomination. He is also a Republican.
He doesn’t plan to shake up the current administration in the sheriff’s office, which is made up of veteran Benton County deputies. Clark said he believes the office is in a good place and wants to provide stability to help the department continue moving forward.
He told the commissioners during the Tuesday meeting that he appreciated the support of the commissioners and looked forward to the next steps.
Who is Lt. Mike Clark?
Clark previously led the community services division, and provided support for community outreach, marine patrol, school resource offices, training and SWAT. He also serves as the public information officer.
He spent about 20 years in law enforcement, according to a Benton County Sheriff’s annual report.
He also has worked with the commissioners on training and wellness programs for the sheriff’s office.
“I think that building that relationship is important, so we can have mutual understanding,” Clark said.
Commissioner Michael Alvarez, who joined the board in 2022 following Sheriff Jerry Hatcher’s recall, said Croskrey has helped repair the fractious relationship between the two offices. He believed Clark was the right pick to continue leading the office.
“When I first came in there was a little distrust between the sheriff’s office and the commissioners office, we’re light years beyond that now,” Alvarez said.
A new generation
Croskrey came in to lead the office after a tumultuous period that ended with Hatcher’s recall. When he joined he wanted to restore the integrity to the office, he told the Tri-City Herald at the time.
The outgoing sheriff shared a farewell message on his Facebook page on Sunday night, saying he came out of retirement to lead the department with a series of goals that he wanted to accomplish.
“I have accomplished all of those goals except one last goal that I set for myself as a personal goal,” he wrote. “The last and final goal was to mentor the new generation and turn the keys over to the next leadership cadre.”
He said the next generation is ready to take over, and he will let them decide if they want to run for the office.
“With that, thank you everyone who has supported the sheriff’s office and me through our journey of returning honor and respect to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office,” he said.
This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM.